GHNS Illinois Budget (2/25/08)

Monday

Feb 25, 2008 at 12:01 AMFeb 25, 2008 at 10:48 AM

GHNS Illinois Budget (2/25/08)

Here are the top Illinois stories coming today from GateHouse News Service. Stories are available at www.gatehousenewsservice.com. Please check www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/news in the evening for changes to story lineup, including breaking news.

If your paper has a story, digest item, opinion piece or standalone photo to share, please e-mail it to Illinois@gatehousemedia.com.

FIRST DAY BACK: DEKALB – On a foggy, gloomy morning that fit perfectly the mood of the NIU campus, students tried their best to return to their normal routines, but haunted by memories of their fallen classmates. By Sadie Gurman of the Rockford Register Star. Will be posted this evening.

DISASTER PREP: Gov. Blagojevich announced Monday that the state is deploying 22 mass decontamination vehicles to increase disaster preparedness. So far, vehicles have gone to Peoria, Rockford and Springfield, among other cities. By Adriana Colindres of the Statehouse bureau.

BEEF BEEF: The state has agreed to refund $20,000 to the Illinois Beef Association after electrical problems at the state fairgrounds in Springfield forced relocation of the annual Beef Expo to a convention center in Bloomington. But a bigger issue was finding space for 10,000 to 12,000 participants and about 1,000 animals on short notice. By Tim Landis of the State Journal-Register.

FORGOTTEN TODDLERS: The bus driver that left two 3-year-olds on a bus in below-freezing temperatures last week finds out what actions will be taken by the agency that oversees Head Start. By Leslie Fark of the Peoria Journal Star.

ISAT PREP: GALESBURG, Ill. - It’s that time of year again, kids. Sharpen those pencils and practice filling in little circles: ISAT is near. By Michelle Anstett of the Galesburg Register-Mail.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x288021001

SINGLE PARENTS ON CAMPUS: The University of Illinois at Springfield’s on-campus housing for single parents gives them a chance to balance parenthood with classes. By Kelsea Gurski of the State Journal-Register.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x374195056

NIU SHOOTING: What to do with Cole Hall?
As officials at Northern Illinois University prepare for the return of 25,000 students this week, they have announced only one decision about the scene of the shootings. The building where a gunman killed five students and then himself on Feb. 14, Cole Hall, will remain closed this semester. By Geri Nikolai, Isaac Guerrero and Sadie Gurman of the Rockford Register Star.
http://www.gatehousenewsservice.com/regional_news/midwest/illinois/x257795083

MIKE NADEL: MESA, Ariz. - Cubs second baseman Mark DeRosa will spend his 33rd birthday in a Chicago cardiologist's office, hoping to find a long-term solution to a non-life-threatening but annoying heart condition that's bothered him for half his life. Will be posted this evening.

ILLINI: CHAMPAIGN – Multi-sport notebook, including entries on football and men's basketball. By John Supinie. Will be posted this evening.

After 24 years, Knox College coach hangs it up
GALESBURG – Knox College men's basketball coach Tim Heimann loves talking about everyone — his former players, his friends, his family. Anyone but himself. Following his retirement after 24 years in charge, he was honored by people he'd coached and worked with over the years -- and for once, the spotlight was on him. By Zack Creglow of the Galesburg Register-Mail. Will be posted this afternoon.